Questions to Ask When Renting an Apartment, Plus a Tour Checklist
The most important questions to ask when renting an apartment are about total cost, lease terms, repairs and rules: what you pay each month beyond rent, how maintenance is handled, and what the lease allows. Below are 35 questions grouped by topic, plus a checklist for the tour.
Most renters ask about rent and move-in date, then find out the rest after signing. Parking fees, a slow repair process or a no-guests clause can change how much you like a place far more than the rent does. Bring this list to every showing and write the answers down. It also makes comparing apartments much easier.
Questions About Cost
- What is the monthly rent, and what exactly does it include?
- Which utilities do I pay, and what do they usually cost here each month?
- Are there monthly fees for parking, pets, trash, amenities or storage?
- What is due before move-in: deposit, first month, last month, any other fees?
- How much is the application fee, and is anything refundable if I am not approved?
- How can I pay rent, and are there fees for paying by card or bank transfer?
- When is rent due, is there a grace period, and what is the late fee?
- How much has rent gone up at renewal in recent years?
Add every recurring charge to the rent before you compare apartments, and check the total against our rent affordability tables. Our guide to first and last month's rent explains the upfront costs in detail.
Questions About the Lease
- How long is the lease, and are shorter or longer terms available?
- What happens when the lease ends: renewal, month-to-month, or move out?
- How much notice do I need to give before moving out?
- What are the terms if I need to leave early?
- Is subletting or adding a roommate allowed? (See how to find a subletter.)
- If I rent with roommates, is it one joint lease or individual leases? (See joint vs individual leases.)
- Can I see a copy of the lease before I apply?
Ask for the lease early. Reading it before you pay an application fee is the fastest way to find the clauses that matter to you, such as guest limits, renewal terms and what you owe for repairs.
Questions About Repairs and Maintenance
- How do I submit a repair request: an app, a portal, email or a phone call?
- How quickly are urgent repairs handled, and who do I call after hours?
- Is there a maintenance person on site, or are repairs handled by outside contractors?
- Which repairs am I responsible for, such as light bulbs, filters or clogged drains?
- When were the appliances, heating and cooling last replaced?
- How much notice will I get before someone enters the apartment?
A good sign: a landlord who takes repair requests through a portal, so every request is timestamped and trackable. On My Rental Spot, renters submit maintenance requests with photos and follow them to completion, and every message stays in one thread.
Questions About Rules and Living There
- What is the pet policy: which animals, how many, and any breed or weight limits, deposits or monthly pet rent?
- Are there rules about guests or overnight visitors?
- Can I paint, hang pictures or mount a TV?
- Is smoking allowed anywhere on the property?
- Is renters insurance required, and how much coverage? (See our renters insurance guide.)
- How are packages received and stored?
- Where is laundry, and is there storage for bikes or extra belongings?
- Are there quiet hours?
Questions About the Building and Neighborhood
- Why did the last tenant leave?
- How is the building secured, and who has keys to the unit?
- Are any renovations or construction planned nearby?
- How long is the commute at rush hour, not on a Sunday afternoon?
- Where are the nearest grocery store, pharmacy and transit stop?
- Is street parking realistic at night?
Apartment Tour Checklist
Questions tell you what the landlord says. The tour tells you what is actually there. Take photos as you go. They are invaluable when you are comparing three apartments from memory a week later.
| Check | What to do during the tour |
|---|---|
| Water | Run every faucet and the shower. Check pressure, how long hot water takes, and look under sinks for leaks or stains. |
| Electrical | Flip light switches and test a few outlets with your phone charger. Count outlets in rooms where you will work. |
| Heating and cooling | Turn on the heat and the AC, whatever the season. Ask how old the systems are. |
| Windows and doors | Open, close and lock every one. Check for drafts, broken screens and working locks on the entry door. |
| Signs of pests | Look inside cabinets, under sinks and behind appliances for droppings, traps or bait stations. |
| Signs of moisture | Check ceilings, window frames and bathroom corners for stains, bubbling paint, mold or a musty smell. |
| Appliances | Open the fridge, oven and dishwasher. Ask whether a washer and dryer are in the unit, on site, or not available. |
| Phone signal | Check your cell signal in every room. Ask which internet providers serve the building. |
| Noise | Listen with the windows shut and then open. Visit again at night if you can. |
| Safety | Find the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, the fire exits, and check lighting in hallways and parking. |
If you do rent the place, document its condition again on move-in day. Our guide to what to look for at a move-in inspection and the free move-in checklist walk you through it room by room.
Red Flags During a Showing
- The person showing the unit cannot get inside, or asks you to view it through the window.
- You are asked for a deposit or fee before you have seen the unit or signed anything.
- Payment is requested by wire transfer, gift card or a payment app to an individual.
- The rent is far below similar apartments nearby, with pressure to decide today.
- The landlord will not put answers to your questions in writing.
These are the classic signs of a rental scam. On My Rental Spot, a green "Verified Owner" badge means the lister has proven ownership or authority to manage the home. See how verification works.
Renting Questions, Answered
What is the most important question to ask a landlord?
"What will I pay each month, in total?" Rent plus utilities, parking, pet rent and fees is the real cost. It is the one number that most often changes a decision.
What should I ask before signing a lease?
Ask about the lease length, renewal terms, notice required to move out, early termination terms, which repairs you are responsible for, and every fee. Get the answers in writing, ideally in the lease itself.
Is it OK to ask why the last tenant left?
Yes. Landlords hear it all the time. A straightforward answer such as "bought a house" or "job move" is reassuring. Evasiveness is worth noting.
Should I visit more than once?
If you can. A second visit at night or on a weekend shows you noise, parking and lighting that a weekday afternoon showing hides.
What should I bring to an apartment viewing?
This list, your phone for photos, a charger to test outlets, and your application documents: photo ID, proof of income and references. A ready rental resume lets you apply on the spot if you love the place.
Related Resources
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